College Establishes Pilot Program for Service Careers
January 21, 2019 — Georgetown prides itself on the large number of its graduates who pursue careers in the public interest. A new pilot program will help make that career path even more accessible to today’s Hoyas.
Georgetown College is proud to introduce the Social Responsibility Network, a new program designed to help students pursue careers in nonprofit and public service fields.
“Here in Georgetown College we take the idea of ‘women and men for others’ seriously,” College Dean Chris Celenza said. “We are immensely proud of our many students and alumni who work in non-profits, education, and other service-based sectors. The SRN will help them make connections that will serve them throughout their careers.”
Applications will be posted later this spring for the program’s inaugural cohort of about 15 students, and programming will begin in the Fall 2019 semester.
Modeled after the College’s successful Baker Scholars Program, the Social Responsibility Network will provide lessons, programming, networking, and mentorship for students who seek out careers centered around doing social good.
“Since I administered the Baker Scholars Program for many years — and knowing that many College students pursue careers in nonprofit work, education, and community development — I suggested that we build a new program,” Senior Associate Dean Thom Chiarolanzio said. “I am excited to share that we have an outstanding group who have agreed to be part of this new initiative.”
The SRN will connect students with an advisory board composed of alumni currently working in a wide range of service-based careers.
Some alumni went straight from the Hilltop into service careers. Davine Scarlett (C’09) worked in the AmeriCorps City Year program in Miami before pursuing her master’s in public administration. She now works as a grant manager at Camillus House, a humanitarian agency for those experiencing poverty and homelessness.
“My job choices have always tried to be in line with our mottos of ‘Cura Personalis,’ ‘People for Others,’ and ‘Educating The Whole Person,’” Scarlett said.
Others tested the private sector waters before turning to service-oriented work. Mackenzie Copley (C’15) worked in consulting before co-founding One Tent Health, a D.C.-based community health screening organization. Adrienne Villani (C’06) worked in emerging markets investing before joining Internews, a nonprofit media development organization.
Chiarolanzio sees these backgrounds as valuable in advising undergraduates who are trying to figure out a viable career path.
“I often hear how our students choose to attend Georgetown because of our Jesuit values, and in particular serving others,” he said. “Students want to use their Georgetown College liberal arts degree to benefit the greater good, and this will allow them to connect with alumni who have centered their careers on helping others.”
The SRN will host a dinner panel for College students on Monday, February 25. All members of the Advisory Board will share information about their career trajectory and current work. The panel will be moderated by College Dean Chris Celenza. An invitation will be emailed to all students in February.